Screening of Anti-Inflammatory Components of Qin Jin Hua Tan Tang by a Multivariate Statistical Analysis Approach for Spectrum-Effect Relationships

Qing Jin Hua Tan Tang (QJHTT) exerts therapeutic effects in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by alleviating inflammation. However, the anti-inflammatory components of QJHTT have not yet been reported. Our study aimed to screen the active anti-inflammatory components of QJHTT using a multivariate statistical analysis approach for spectrum-effect relationships. Different polar fractions of QJHTT were prepared using ethanol, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol to analyze the phytochemical components. Phytochemical fingerprints were generated using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. In total, 24 peaks were observed in ten batches of QJHTT extracts. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using a xylene-induced ear-swelling mouse model. Additionally, the spectrum-effect relationship between the relative areas of the 24 peaks and pharmacological activity was investigated using multivariate statistical analysis. The potential anti-inflammatory ingredients obtained from the screening (multivariate statistical analysis) will be validated for their anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms utilizing a lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage inflammation model. QJHTT ethanol extract 1 exhibited good anti-inflammatory activity. Peaks 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16, which were closely correlated with anti-inflammatory activity, were identified as meranzin, baicalin, baicalein, chrysin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and wogonoside, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activities of meranzin, baicalin, baicalein, and wogonoside were verified in vitro. These four bioactive components significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory factors in the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophage cell line. This research successfully screened the QJHTT anti-inflammatory active ingredient group. Meranzin, baicalin, baicalein, chrysin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and wogonoside were predicted to be the anti-inflammatory active ingredient groups of QJHTT.